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Before class- Get the book.

https://www.yourbrainonart.com/

Read the intro/ aesthetic mindset and take the An Aesthetic MindsetRead ch 1-2 the anatomy of the arts cultivating well-being, p 3-58

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The arts, in its countless forms, transform our minds and bodies

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June 5
First meeting. Discuss chapter 1 core concepts, the Neuroarts, which one spoke to you the most? Chapter 2 cultivating well-being what are some of your self prescriptions?
Chapter 1 neurographica assignment brain based art and/or mandala of well being

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June 12

Second meeting: Chapters 3 and 4 Restoring Mental Health & Healing the Body.

Art: Mandala/ mind maps

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June 26

Fourth meeting: Ch 7 Creating community and Conclusion.

Art Making storytelling, culture, and art

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Join Book Study Zoom Link Here

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84807350145?pwd=8nPaIeiraiM2xGYXevq0aYt2DDyyH5.1

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Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done.

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Google Calendar - Sign in to Access & Edit Your Schedule

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Access Google Calendar with a Google account (for personal use) or Google Workspace account (for business use).

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neurographic, but not necessarily true neurographica

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I was surprised because I had never thought of the written word (poetry, fiction, etc) as art but it makes sense. Written word can evoke emotions and stir the senses similar to visual arts and music, at least for me.

Releasing the idea of perfection might be one of the keys to allowing our students as well as ourselves to relax and enjoy so that we can get the full benefits of art making. It allows us to take risks and learn from them.

I have done some neurographic art to relax but wasn't aware that mandalas could be so relaxing. The vibroacoustic therapy is real and amazing

I like the science behind the book and can't wait to keep reading it.

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I was intrigued by the concept presented on p 31 and 33, "Emotions are the initial expression of your response to environmental stimuli, inner needs, and drives, while feelings are the perception of what your body is experiencing."...."Stress isn't a feeling or an emotion, rather it's a physiological response to our emotions." I am turning inward to that subjective awareness and contemplating on this idea that my true feelings might show in my art work is why I shy away from making some pieces.

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Great first meeting. After the meeting I worked on some art. 1st layer of underglaze on greenware, with gratitude.

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During the Nature, Nurture, and the Built Environment section I recalled reading in Joyful, by Ingrid Fetell Lee, about how “circles and spheres are the most approachable shapes, with no sharp edges to risk injury.” A study using fMRI showed that the “amygdala lit up when subjects looked at an angular object, but stayed quiet when they looked at a curved version of the same object.” (p. 141)  It makes me think that adding curves to our landscaping and remodeling designs would help to lower levels of cortisol in our daily lives.

I participated in an online workshop with Samira Mian and created a rosette based on the Islamic classic tenfold rosette.  It had both prescribed and open-ended parts which felt calming as I drew and painted it.

Samira Mian | Islamic Geometry | England samiramian.uk

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Ch 3 p. 87 "All art is good art" and talking about the concept of art "Getting the concept that there's no right or wrong to this, that its about the process not the product, that the art is wonderful no matter what it looks like because whatever the child creates or says about the creation is correct. This can often be a new concept, especially in a formal education setting"

Ch 4 p. 107 talking about lifestyle choices that can be preventative for our physical health (diet, exercise) but what about our mental & emotional health?

p. 115 talking about purpose in life and losing that ability physically

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I have been dealing with arthritis pain in my thumbs and other pain in my forearms that make it difficult to do normal activities.  I’ve worked with an occupational therapist to find different ways of doing many things, but the pain is a constant. However, even during this time, while I am making art and playing percussion, I don’t notice the pain.  It isn’t that it goes away, but it doesn’t register during those creative times.

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"Chronic neglect, economic hardship, unemployment and food insecurity are examples of situations that create toxic stress." (P. 64) Most of my students are experiencing at least one of these and many all four. How can I create aesthetic, salient lessons and experiences that will mitigate the impacts of the toxic stress my students are experiencing?

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Some of the things that make me smile!

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"According to the American Art therapy Association, artistic expression and the creative process enhance cognitive abilities, foster greater self-awareness, and help teens regulate their emotions. The arts help them with focus, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, so when presented with health choices they make better ones as their brains are dramatically changing during critical developmental periods."

I love the idea that the students can benefit in the long run if I am able to get them on board with creating.

Terri Dufresne

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From the end of chapter 5 – “We need to live as embodied humans, not just as cerebral beings… embrace all the senses and artistry and art of a life.”

Neuroarts based learning has the potential to elevate how you live in the world, how you create a dynamic model of life, one where you experience a fulfilling and purposeful life.

These quotes reminded me of two years ago, when I began working with a coach because I wanted more art in my life.  I wanted to make more art but I didn’t feel like an artist.

As we worked on what that would look like, I came to the realization that I wanted it NOW, not someday.  “Why do I want to wait to retire?  I just want to live right now.”

In chapter 6, they were talking about flourishing not being perfection and everything going right, but a “lifelong quest to gain insights, to grow and to thrive.”  This reminded me of G. K. Chesterton who said, “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”

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This is my black out poem taken from the page I was reading in my current novel. I loved the process and could almost feel the dopamine released! ;0)

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June 19

Third meeting: Ch 5 and 6 Amplifying Learning & Flourishing.

Art making black out poetry, art inspired by poetry

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I was inspired by Lisa H and took a random page that is coming up in the book it ended up being page 227 and created a poem by letting my mind wander from the bottom of the page to the top just circling words that caught my fancy

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I really liked Jennifer‘s question what is your favorite way to amplify your learning/ stimulate flourishing? And I loved Lisa H’s response I interact with mind wandering to allow myself to flourish. Mind wandering is essential.Teri mentioned that she knits I think this is an activity that allows your hands to be busy but your mind to also wander at the same time. Lisa mentioned close-up photos, noting the abstract patterns and colors that draw her in I want to be able to create a room, an environment, a space for wonder to allow my students to reconnect with a creativity that they may or may not have known and offer rituals, possibly positive letters to the future self which I have done poorly in the past, more intentionally. it is staggering to me. The six C’s are what we want, but none of those besides Content are the ones we grade and I don’t want to grade them but the idea that we assess what we value -so I want in some way to uplift collaboration, communication, creative innovation so that students realize these are the important things. The content helps us to describe or to create those things better.

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I like using correction tape, so I did a white out poem instead of a black out poem. :) The text I used was the notes I took for chapter 6 - Flourishing. I started whiting things out and went through a number of times - like a carving - to find the hidden meaning.

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This approaching embraces a lifelong quest to gain in sights, to grow and to thrive. And it is a choice to put ourselves on a dedicated path of personal growth.

This rings a bell in my heart.

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This is what I did.

Still more colorings are needed.

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After our last book club together please open this form and attest to the hours you have explored with us. The close to last question asks about hours and you will choose "other" and record up to 12 hours, 1 for reading, 1 for meeting and 1 for art making each week of our time together.

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Google Forms - create and analyze surveys, for free.

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This is a collage made from pages of a Little Red Riding Hood story.

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"For the first time since these statistics have been collected, mental illness is increasing at a faster rate than physical disease. There’s a tangible ripple effect to all of this, including an increase in absenteeism at school and at work, and higher rates of divorce. There is also an alarming sense of collective despair and an increasing lack of hope. An increase of what are called “diseases of despair,” which include drug and alcohol overdose, alcoholic liver disease, and suicide."

Magsamen, Susan; Ross, Ivy. Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us . Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

I am convinced that eliminating the arts from school, and the lack of hands on play are a big factor in the brokenness of our society. The lack of enthusiasm for learning is a mystery to me. I am unable to understand why most students today don't want to know "why" something is the way it is.

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“It’s not the boring lecture that helps you learn, it’s the salient experience that helps consolidate that memory.”

Magsamen, Susan; Ross, Ivy. Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us . Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

So my big question is how do I make the necessary "lectures" about how to do the basics in the art room, including keeping the centers organized and clean fun?

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Chapter 3 was the most enlightening chapter for me.  I know so many people struggling with mental health issues.  I believe that art in the broad sense of the word is missing from so many people’s lives.  How do we get back to the wonder that is so present in a small child.  I recently spent 10 days with my great-grandson who is 15 months old.  I loved watching him make sense of his world through playing.  We all need that ability to wonder and explore without fear of judgement.

My letter would include the following quote, “Can an art experience create awe that’s measurable? And can awe spark the kind of changes in us that promote flourishing? To better understand how awe-inspiring art moves us we immediately thought of Cirque du Soleil. If you have ever seen Cirque du Soleil it’s easy to recall the childlike, eye-popping sensorial experiences unfolding all around you.”

I would like to be able to help my students achieve this “awe” in six months(maybe even sooner) from now.

I have two daughters.  My oldest daughter and I scrapbook together.  My youngest daughter and I create clothes and quilts.  In both cases we have a give and take that make for glorious collaboration!

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This is my art journal.

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In Connecting to Culture - “Stirring up microbes found in the soil can improve brain function and boost mood.  Gardening at home supports a strong EWB (emotional well-being) score particularly for those living in low-income areas”

My church has begun a pilot project, Gardening For Neighbors.  It is not only providing food for people experiencing food insecurity, but it is bringing people out their houses from the neighborhood to take and interest in what’s going on.  Reading this section of the book inspires me to help facilitate more community engagement. I’m also enjoying taking photos in the garden.  Maybe I could lead a drawing session in the garden…

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Gardening for Neighbors - container gardening in a parking lot

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Mickey Hart has a sonic abstract painting style that was just on PBS NewsHour definitely worth a check out makes me think of all that we read the synthesis of sound movement color

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Grateful Dead drummer combines music and paint to express the role rhythm plays in his art

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Grateful Dead drummer combines music and paint to express the role rhythm plays in his art